Growing Up Online

The film “Growing up Online” made by the producers Rachel Dretzin, and John Maggio, was a bit of a shocking film to say the least. Focusing on ideas like how is growing up online effecting our schools, our children, our parents, and our lifestyles in general. One of the first major concerns come from the parents of course, that is that “nobody is in charge.” Parents fear that just because there is nobody to moderate conversation, or ideas being shared, that somehow the internet will corrupt their children. They are concerned that the ownership of the internet (widely used by only adults) is becoming the property of their children, and that this consumption of mass media, and instantaneous friends might have some adverse effects. Indeed it often does. Teachers and schools appear to be experiencing this the most, they are noticing that “teachers almost have to take on an entertainment role just to keep the students attention”. Schools also have to deal with the fact that having such an easily accessible online resource makes cheating much more possible and easy. Websites like Spark notes make it possible to read an entire book or play, in just a matter of a few hours. On the children’s side of things, their main concern is invasion of their privacy if parents have open, easy access to their (what is supposed to be personal) web pages such as facebook or myspace.

Growing up online is not without its perks, however. It means that this generation is much more comfortable being in public situations. Posting to your blog or facebook online means that almost anyone can go to your webpage and read it, and this fact does not elude or deter the children that make these online journals. On these mass populated web sites it has become easier than ever to get hundreds, or even thousands of friends. Even becoming someone else entirely has become an option. The internet gives children a blank slate on which to paint their own persona, where how you look, or how you act have little consequence. There are many things that have to be overcome while using the internet, such as online bullying, cyber predators, pedophiles, and what to do with this phonebook of information. Also there is the fact that anonymity makes it even easier to hurt others because nobody knows who is who. I think that it is up to each person, each family, to decide whether the use of internet is for them and to lay down some ground rules (if they are needed). Moderation can easily lead to personal invasion, but if families come to an understanding I believe that the internet can be a very useful tool and a great way for some people to communicate or express themselves.

If I were doing a story about myself on the impact of the internet and digital media I would probably write about how it changes how I entertain myself through watching television online, or even how I turn in assignments. My turning in assignments has been changed in this English 100 class because we are no longer expected to turn in handwritten pen and paper assignments, but we are told to turn in typed or electronic pieces of work instead.